Jump to content
News
Reviews
Discussons
Activity
Create New...
Close
  • William Maley
    William Maley

    By William Maley •

    Rumorpile: Maserati CEO Pushing For A Mid-Engine Exotic

    William Maley

    Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

    June 22, 2012

    Maserati is the odd one out in the Fiat hierarchy. Not able to compete with its sister brand, Ferrari, the brand once known for grand prix cars and mid-engined exotics, now builds soft, grand tourers. However, Maserati’s chief executive wants to change that.

    In a interview with Evo magazine, chief executive Harold Wester wants Maserati to go back to the olden days and is pushing for a new mid-engine sports cars. Wester said he would like the car to be “the most pure expression of Maserati sportiness possible.”

    His inspiration for this? The Alfa Romeo 4C. Wester, who is also the chief executive of Alfa Romeo was impressed with the reception of the 4C that he would like to bring some of the magic to Maserati.

    “Imagine having something like the Alfa Romeo 4C but for Maserati. It would have a carbonfibre monocoque and a mid-engined layout, just like the Alfa 4C, as this gives the stylists the most freedom to design something really stunning.”

    The new Maserati, to be called the GranSport, would utilize the 4C’s carbon monocoque construction. Power would come from a 4.7L V8 producing 454 HP. Weight for this new Maserati is targeted at 1200 kg or about 2645 lbs, which would undercut the Ferrari 458 Italia.

    The GranSport would be priced at the same level as the higher end Porsche 911s.

    “I want this car to be better to drive than a 911 Turbo, but I also want it to cost less. We won’t limit the production of this car, but I’d like to think that we will sell, let’s say, between 1500 and 2000 units a year,” Wester said.

    For now, this is just a proposal.

    Source: Evo

    William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

    Go to articles

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    William Maley

    WHY WHY WHY, The extra Cost alone will not really help them. I can think of many better ways for this company to spend money to increase their profit than a mid engine Auto!

    Here's why. Maserati already has a two new sedans (The new Quattroporte and a smaller mid-size model) and a SUV (the to be renamed Kubang) which will hopefully bring some money in.

    They want to do something different. Going back to their roots of building a sports car and not something like a sedan or SUV.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    G. David Felt

    dfelt, on 22 June 2012 - 09:42 AM, said:

    WHY WHY WHY, The extra Cost alone will not really help them. I can think of many better ways for this company to spend money to increase their profit than a mid engine Auto!

    Here's why. Maserati already has a two new sedans (The new Quattroporte and a smaller mid-size model) and a SUV (the to be renamed Kubang) which will hopefully bring some money in. They want to do something different. Going back to their roots of building a sports car and not something like a sedan or SUV.

    I understand the point you make, but in todays economy, I do not believe this is the right approach to take for a small company that has a small sales even though they are in the ubber rich category.

    Is there a niche group of people willing to pay out mega bucks for this car, Yes I believe there will be at first, but will there be enough to sustain and make profitable this car? No I do not believe so.

    If Porsche was not already mid engine, they would fail at trying to do a mid engine sports car. The 944 which was my favorite car from them and still is was a total failure.

    Their customers expect mid engines, but for most people, no they do not and I do not think Maserati can do it profitably. Unless some other division also picks up the technology to reduce R&D costs.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    William Maley

    mudmonster, on , said:

    dfelt, on 22 June 2012 - 09:42 AM, said:

    WHY WHY WHY, The extra Cost alone will not really help them. I can think of many better ways for this company to spend money to increase their profit than a mid engine Auto!

    Here's why. Maserati already has a two new sedans (The new Quattroporte and a smaller mid-size model) and a SUV (the to be renamed Kubang) which will hopefully bring some money in. They want to do something different. Going back to their roots of building a sports car and not something like a sedan or SUV.

    I understand the point you make, but in todays economy, I do not believe this is the right approach to take for a small company that has a small sales even though they are in the ubber rich category.

    Is there a niche group of people willing to pay out mega bucks for this car, Yes I believe there will be at first, but will there be enough to sustain and make profitable this car? No I do not believe so.

    If Porsche was not already mid engine, they would fail at trying to do a mid engine sports car. The 944 which was my favorite car from them and still is was a total failure.

    Their customers expect mid engines, but for most people, no they do not and I do not think Maserati can do it profitably. Unless some other division also picks up the technology to reduce R&D costs.

    For now, this is just a dream for Maserati. I don't think this vehicle will the light of day.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites


    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

    ×

  • google-news-icon.png



  • google-news-icon.png

  • Subscribe to Cheers & Gears

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001 we've brought you real content and honest opinions, not AI-generated stuff with no feeling or opinions influenced by the manufacturers.

    Please consider subscribing. Subscriptions can be as little as $1.75 a month, and a paid subscription drops most ads.*
     

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Similar Content

  • Posts

    • trinacriabob
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By trinacriabob · Posted

      If you are in a hotel and there is a (laptop) safe in the room, you'd probably use it for your laptop if leaving the room and/or hotel for a while. If you are in a hotel without one, what do you do (with your laptop)?  I often have them pass on room service ... that's for sure.  It would be beneficial for some of you to weigh in.
    • trinacriabob
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By trinacriabob · Posted

      Random thoughts: Saw many German imports sporting medium enamel grey exteriors with darker red leather interiors in affluent desert communities and this combination looks nice. Was following a recent Dodge Challenger on the freeway tonight and I love that rear light bar, so I think it's the best looking of the 3 pony car rehashes. Saw an immaculate black 2007 or 2008 Cadillac DTS on the freeway tonight and they still look good, even timeless. I happened onto a dog video last night and it had "Dog Whisperer" Cesar Millan in it.  I read about him and he once ran a "Dog Psychology Center."  Ha. He does not have a degree in psychology, animal husbandry, or anything.  Then, L.A. douchebag groupthink shines through.  The list of celebs who used him (one refers or copies another celeb) is lengthy.  Remember when celebs were snapping up Priuses, almost as if to make a statement? About 40% of my music collection consists of African-American artists. I  notice this as I surf Bluetooth. Some of my friends joke that I was Black in a previous life.  Come on.  Some white artists - even hard rockers - are more starched than many Black artists ... smooth, earthy, sassy, passionate, gravelly, and/or powerful ... that's what I like in music and they put out some great musical tracks.   Happy Friday.
    • G. David Felt
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By G. David Felt · Posted

      I so want to travel to Korea and just food binge on street food. Korean TRADITIONAL Market Street Food Tour in Seoul | Watch
    • G. David Felt
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By G. David Felt · Posted

      This is way too funny, I have to say the Circus next year is going to be amazing to watch. ‘President Musk’ talk infuriates Trump officials amid spending bill negotiations   I like cheesy pasta, and this makes a dish easy to make. The only think I would do differently is dice up the garlic and onions more, so they blend into the pasta better and use a variety of cheeses, like Mozzarella and Smokey Gouda plus the parmesan. The pasta recipe we all need in our life | Watch
    • G. David Felt
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By G. David Felt · Posted

      I love BBQing, but with my Knee recovery, I am not up to being outside in my BBQ area and cooking ribs the right way slow and steady for a fall off the bone rib. I have been looking online at other options and yes, I love Dr. Pepper way more than Coke or Pepsi, in fact I cannot think of the last time I had a coke or pepsi.  Dr. Pepper slow cooked ribs, then finished in the oven. Seems like a good Idea to try. What do you guys think? Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper BBQ Ribs - Only 3 Ingredients!

  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

I've whitelisted
Continue without support

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search